Philippines becomes the first Asian country to export Hass avocados to Japan

The Philippines sent its first shipment of Hass avocados to Japan, becoming the first Asian country to export this variety to that market and opening new opportunities for local producers.

Gerald Glenn Panganiban, Director of the Bureau of Plant Industry at the Philippine Department of Agriculture, reported that 2,240 boxes totaling 12,320 kilograms of Hass avocados, valued at $40,320, were shipped.

He further stated that the goal for next year is to export 88,000 boxes, equivalent to 484,000 kilograms, with an estimated value of $1.58 million.

In 2023, Japan imported 61,000 tons of avocados valued at $160 million, with Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States as the main suppliers.

The inclusion of Hass avocados in the Japanese market, where the Philippines already exports bananas and pineapples, was achieved after more than a decade of effort, since the initial application in 2011.

Source: da.gov.ph, simfruit.cl; Photo: pna.gov.ph